Single speed gear ratio

manwithaplan

I have availed of an end of year special and have ordered a Specialized Langster to replace my stolen Trek 7.2 FX hybrid. It has a 42t chainring and a 16t cog. The new bike will be almost exclusively used on my 5km relatively flat commute. The most commonly used gear on my hybrid was 48-18, which is very slightly heavier than the gear on the single speed.

The new bike is a bit lighter and the position is more aero. Is it likely to be a bit undergeared? I'm highly unlikely to do anything about it but I was wondering what the single speed/fixie types would usually ride.

G rock

i ride 48-16 on my pompino.

it's a heavy enough bike but can manage pretty well. granted i have to get out of saddle on a few climbs.

you race don't you? prob far stronger than i am, so would imagine even 48-16 would be undergeared for you

blorg

Try it out stock and see how you get on. One of the benefits of a SS is that it forces you to spin at a higher cadence, so don't go too high on the gearing. I started fixed on 73" with my Bowery which is slightly higher than your 70". I wouldn't go much higher than that to start with. And go fixed, it is far more fun.

Highway_To_Hell

My Charge Plug came with 42-16 gearing, I ride it fixed and after a few weeks I changed to 42-15 as I was constantly spinning out anytime i generated a bit of speed, I did debate on moving to 42-14 or changing the chainring but never did as I live on the top of a hill that is always a challange at the end of my commute home.

I would say to try out the bike with the gearing it has and change if necessary, I would say if you keep it as a SS you would not notice the spinning out as much as you can freewheel.

manwithaplan

It has a flip flop hub so I will be trying it out fixed as well to see what all the fuss is about.

I suspect it is a little undergeared. Having said that, although I'm not a pathological masher, a bit of mandatory high cadence riding will do me no harm. The only thing I won't be able to tolerate is if I can't keep up with people I am usually quicker than on my commute. In that case, changes will just have to be made!

daragh_

manwithaplan wrote: »

The only thing I won't be able to tolerate is if I can't keep up with people I am usually quicker than on my commute. In that case, changes will just have to be made!

That happened to me a lot when I first got my Charge Plug (42-16 like Highway to Hell). In the end I just pushed harder.

Peterx

I have a langster with the 42-16 set-up.

Tried it fixed and it hurt my knee but on singlespeed it's perfect.

8.5km commute from Ballyboden to town so I do end up freewheeling a bit on the way in but wouldn't want it any harder for going home.

On a flat commute I think you'd want a harder ratio, especially if the oul commuter racing is important to you.

rp

G rock wrote: »

i ride 48-16 on my pompino.

my pompy is geared 48:13, which give a decentish top speed (the sprint for the final green light to work can hit 60kph), but there a long periods where arse doesn't meet saddle.

Greyspoke

As blorg suggested, try it with the stock gearing first and see how it feels - 42-16=70.9" gear which is a comfortable, mid-range gear for the flat. If you find yourself getting frustrated at constantly spinning out then it's a simple enough matter to stick a
15 (75.6") or a 14 (81") cog on the back to bump it up a bit. If that's still too low then you'll have to think about swapping the chainring which will more.

manwithaplan

Thanks everyone. I'm looking forward to trying it out. In a year's time, I'll have built my own and will be unrecognisable with my calf tattoo, nose ring and courier bag.

Or maybe not